05 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS

(b) Which force performed greater work?

LEVEL 1
Q. 4. An observer O1 standing on ground finds
Q. 1. A particle is acted upon by a force for 1 second that momentum of a projectile of mass 2 kg
!
whose X component remains constant at Fx =
30 N but y and z components vary with time as
(
changes with time as P01 = 4t iˆ + 20 t kˆ kg m/s )
shown in the graph. Calculate the magnitude of
!
Acceleration due to gravity is g = 10 kˆ m/s2 ( )
change in momentum of the particle in 1 !s. What and there is a wind blowing in horizontal direction.
angle does the change in momentum P make Another observer O2 driving a car observes that
with X axis? momentum of the same projectile changes with
(N) time as -
!
80 ( )
P02 = 8t iˆ − 16t 2 ˆj + 20t kˆ kg m/s. Find the ac-
FZ
1
celeration of the car at t = s
40 8
Fy Q. 5. Water flows through a tube assembly as shown
t (s)
in the fig. Speed of flow (marked as V and 2V),
O 1 cross sectional area (A, A/2 and A/4) and the
Q. 2. Two block A and B of equal mass are connected angles between segments has been shown in fig.
using a light inextensible string passing over two Calculate the force applied by the water flow on
light smooth pulleys fixed to the blocks (see fig). the tube. Take density of water to be r.
The horizontal surface is smooth. Every segment A/2
of the string (that is not touching the pulley) is
V
horizontal. When a horizontal force F1 is applied 0
to A the magnitude of momentum of the system, 60
A V
cos
–1 3
comprising of A + B, changes at a rate R. When a
4
horizontal force F2 is applied to B (F1 not applied)
the magnitude of momentum of the system A + B A 2V
4
once again changes at the rate R. Which force is
larger - F1 or F2? Q. 6. A man is running along a road with speed u.
A B On his chest there is a paper of mass m and area
F1
m m F2
S. There is a wind blowing against the man at
speed V. Density of air is r. Assume that the air
molecules after striking the paper come to rest
Q. 3. A particle of mass m = 1 kg is moving in space in relative to the man. Find the minimum coefficient
X direction with a velocity of 10 ms–1. A 4 N force of friction between the paper and the chest so that
acting in Y direction is applied on it for a time the paper does not fall?
interval of 5.0 s. Later a 5 N force was applied on
it in Z direction for 4.0 s Q. 7. Two particles A and B of mass 2 m and m
(a) Calculate the total work done by both the respectively attract each other by mutual
forces. gravitational force and no other force acts on
5.2 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

them. At time t = 0, A was observed to be at rest A

and B was moving away from A with a speed u. At u
a later time t it was observed that B was moving
B
towards A with speed u. Assume no collision
has taken place by then. Find work done by the
gravitational force in the time interval 0 to t wall
Q. 8. (i) A block of mass m moving towards right
with a velocity V strikes (head on) another Q. 11. Two identical balls A and B are moving as shown
block of mass M which is at rest connected in the fig. Ball A hits a smooth floor head on with a
to a spring. The coefficient of restitution velocity u and at the same instant ball B strikes A
for collision between the blocks is e = 0.5. head on with a horizontal velocity u. The collision
between A and B is perfectly inelastic whereas the
M
Find the ratio for which the subsequent coefficient of restitution for collision between A
m and the floor is e = 0.5. At what time the two balls
compression in the spring is maximum. There will collide again? Assume friction to be absent
is no friction. everywhere.
V

m M A u

(ii) Ball A collides head on with another identical B u

ball B at rest. Find the coefficient of restitution
if ball B has 80% of the total kinetic energy of
Q. 12. Two blocks of mass m and M are lying on a
the system after collision.
smooth table. A spring is attached with the block
Q. 9. A ball having mass m and velocity u makes a head of mass M (see fig). Block of mass m is given a
on collision with another ball. After collision velocity towards the other block. Find the value
velocity of the ball of mass m was found to be M
V in the direction of its original motion. The of for which the kinetic energy of the system
m
interaction force between the two balls during
will never fall below one third of the initial kinetic
their collision has been shown in the graph. The
energy imparted to the block of mass m.
area of the shaded part of the graph is same as
the area of the not shaded part. Find the velocity m M
of the balls at the instant they were having equal
velocity.
F
m u Q. 13. Two identical blocks A and B have two identical
springs fixed to them (see fig). Mass of each block
t is M and force constant of each spring is K. The
Q. 10. Ball A is about to hit a wall at an angle of two blocks have been placed on a smooth table.
incidence of q = 30°. But before hitting the wall Another block C of mass m (< < M) is placed
it made a head on collision with another identical between A and B and is held close to A so as to
ball B. The ball B then collides with the wall. The compress the spring attached to A by X0. From
coefficient of restitution for collision between this position the system is released. C moves to
two balls is e1 = 0.8 and that between a ball and push B and then is back to push A. The sequence
the wall is e1 = 0.6. Find the final velocity of ball continues until all interactions between the blocks
B. Initial velocity of A was u = 5 ms–1. Neglect cease. Find the speeds eventually acquired by A
friction. and B.
È -1 Ê 2.25 ˆ ˘ A C B
Ítan ÁË 2.34 ˜¯ = 44∞˙
Î ˚
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.3

Q. 14 A particle of mass m is flying horizontally at rest and the impact parameter d is equal to
velocity u. It strikes a smooth inclined surface and ÷3 R where R is radius of each ball. Due to impact
its velocity becomes vertical. the direction of motion of ball A changes by 30°.
(a) Find the loss in kinetic energy of the particle Find the velocity of B after the impact. It is given
due to impact if the inclination of the incline that collision is elastic.
is 60° to the horizontal. A
(b) Can the particle go vertically up after collision u
if inclination of the incline is 30°?

d = 3R
B

u m

Q. 18. (a) Two identical balls are moving along X axis

and undergo an elastic collision. Plot the
60° position time graph for the two balls.
(b) Consider five identical balls moving along
Q. 15. A block A of mass 2 kg is moving to right with X axis. What is the maximum number of
a speed of 5 m/s on a horizontal smooth surface. collisions that is possible? Assume that more
Another block B of mass 2 kg, with a mass less than two balls do not collide at the same time
spring of force constant K =200 N/m attached to and collisions are elastic.
it, is moving to left on the same surface with a
speed of 3 m/s. Block A collides with the spring Q. 19. Two particles of mass m each are attached to
attached to B. Calculate the end of a mass less spring. This dumb-bell
is moving towards right on a smooth horizontal
(a) the final velocity of the block A.
surface at speed V with the spring relaxed. Another
(b) the minimum kinetic energy of the system of identical dumb-bell is moving along the same line
two blocks during subsequent motion. is opposite direction with the same speed. The
(c) Repeat part (b) if there is no spring and the two dumb-bells collide head on and collision is
two blocks collide head on. Assume that the elastic. Assuming collisions to be instantaneous,
blocks are made of perfectly elastic material. how many collisions will take place?
3 m/s
2 kg 5 m/s 2 kg V V
A B

Q. 16. A box of mass M is at rest on a horizontal surface. Q. 20. Two blocks of mass m1 and m2 are moving along
A boy of mass m (< M) wants to push the box by a smooth horizontal floor. A non-ideal spring is
applying a horizontal force on it. The boy knows attached at the back of mass m2. Initial velocities
that he will not be able to push the box as the of the blocks are u1 and u2 as shown; with u1 >
coefficient of friction µ between his shoes and u2. After collision the two blocks were found to
ground is almost equal to that between the box and be moving with velocities V1 and V2 respectively.
the ground. He decides to run, acquire a speed u Find the ratio of impulse (on each block) during
and then bang into the box. After hitting the box, the deformation phase of the spring and that
the boy keeps pushing as hard as possible. What during its restoration phase. [By non ideal spring
is the maximum distance through which the box we mean that it does not completely regain its
can be displaced this way? original shape after deformation. You can neglect
m the mass of the spring.]
M m1 m2
u1 u2

Q. 17. A smooth ball A travels towards another

identical ball B with a velocity u. Ball B is at
5.4 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

Q. 21. A ball moving with velocity V0, makes a head on blocks. A bullet of mass m0, moving with speed u
collision with another identical ball at rest. The hits the block of mass M and gets embedded into
velocity of incident ball and the other ball after it. The collision is instantaneous. Assuming that
collision is V1 and V2 respectively. m always stays over M, calculate the maximum
(a) Using momentum conservation write an extension in the spring caused during the
equation having V1 and V2 as unknowns. Plot subsequent motion.
a graph of V1 vs V2 using this equation. K = 8960 N/m ; u = 400 m/s
support
(b) Assuming the collision to be elastic write an m
K
equation for kinetic energy. Plot a graph of V1
vs V2 using this equation. m0
u M
(c) The intersection point of the above two
graphs gives solution. Find V1 and V2 . Q. 24. Starting from a height H, a ball slips without
(d) In a particular collision, the plot of graphs friction, down a plane inclined at an angle of 30°
mentioned above is as shown in figure to the horizontal (fig.). After leaving the inclined
V1 (m/s) plane it fall under gravity on a parabolic path and
hits the horizontal ground surface. The impact is
perfectly elastic (It means that there is no change
2 (0.5, 1.5) in horizontal component of ball’s velocity and its
vertical velocity component gets inverted. There
(1.5, 0.5) is no change in speed due to collision). Will the
V2 .(m/s) ball rise to a height equal to H or less than H after
O 2 the impact?

30°
O

H
Find V1 and V2 for this collision. Also write the
percentage loss in kinetic energy during the
collision.
Q. 22. A particle having charge +q and mass m is
approaching (head on) a free particle having mass
M and charge 10 q. Initially the mass m is at large Q. 25. Hailstones are observed to strike the surface of
distance and has a velocity V0, whereas the other the frozen lake at an angle of 30° with the vertical
particle is at rest. and rebound at 60° with the vertical. Assuming
the contact to be smooth, find the coefficient of
(a) Find the final velocity of the two particles
restitution.
when M = 20 m.
(b) Find the final state of the two particles if M = Q. 26. A ball of mass m approaches a heavy wall of mass
m. M with speed 4 m/s along the normal to the wall.
q +10 q The speed of wall before collision is 1m/s towards
V0 the ball. The ball collides elastically with the wall.
m What can you say about the speed of the ball after
M
collision? Will it be slightly less than or slightly
Q. 23. In the system shown in fig. block of mass M is higher than 6 m/s ?
placed on a smooth horizontal surface. There is
a mass less rigid support attached to the block. Q. 27. A particle is thrown upward with speed 20÷2
Block of mass m is placed on the first block and m/s. It strikes the inclined surface as shown in the
it is connected to the support with a spring of figure. Collision of particle and inclined surface is
force constant K. There is no friction between the perfectly inelastic. What will be maximum height
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.5

(in m) attained by the particle from the ground (g ball 1. After the collision ball 2 itself goes straight
= 10 m/s2) into the hole at A. Prove that ball 1 will fall into
the hole at C. Assume that the balls are identical
and their dimensions are too small compared to
the dimensions of a hole. All collisions are elastic
20 2 m/s
A B
45°
?

O
4m
1
Q.28. 2n identical cubical blocks are kept in a straight
line on a horizontal smooth surface. The 2
D C
separation between any two consecutive blocks is
same. The odd numbered blocks 1, 3, 5,.....(2n–1) Q. 32. Blocks shown in figure have been placed on a
are given velocity v to the right whereas blocks smooth horizontal surface and mass of (n + 1)th
2, 4, 6,......2n are given velocity v to the left. All 1
collisions between blocks are perfectly elastic. block is 20 times the mass of nth block (where
Calculate the total number of collisions that will n = 1, 2, 3, 4,.....). The first block is given an
take place. initial velocity u towards the second block.
All collision are head on elastic collisions.
If u = 10 m/s then how many blocks must
be kept so that the last one acquires speed
Q.29. A small ball with mass M = 0.2 kg rests on top
equal to or greater than the escape speed
of a vertical column with height h = 5 m. A bullet
(= 11.0 km s–1)
with mass m = 0.01 kg, moving with velocity
v0 = 500 m/s, passes horizontally through the ⎛ 40 ⎞
[Take log10 ⎜ = 0.28 and log10 (11) = 1.04]
center of the ball. The ball reaches the ground at ⎝ 21 ⎟⎠
a horizontal distance s = 20 m from the column. u
Where does the bullet reach the ground? What part
of the kinetic energy of the bullet was converted 1
2 3 4 5 ..........
into heat when the bullet passed through the ball?
Neglect resistance of the air. Assume that g = 10
Q. 33. There is a long narrow and smooth groove in a
m/s2.
horizontal table. Two identical blocks A and B
Q. 30. Figure shows a circular frictionless track of radius each of mass m are placed inside the groove at
R, centred at point O. A particle of mass M is some separation. An ideal spring is fixed to A as
released from point A (OA = R/2). After collision shown. Block A is given a velocity u to the right
with the track, the particle moves along the track. and it interacts with B through the spring.
(a) Find the coefficient of restitution e.
A u B
(b) What will be value of e if the velocity of
the particle becomes horizontal just after
collision?
O A (a) What will be final state of motion of the two
blocks?
(b) During their course of interaction what is the
minimum kinetic energy of the system?
(c) The spring is removed and the two blocks are
tied using a mass less string. Now A is set
Q. 31. A rectangular billiard table has dimensions AB =
into motion with speed u. What will be the
4÷3 feet and BC = 2 feet. Ball 1 is at the centre of
final state of motion of the two blocks in this
the table. Ball 2 moving perpendicular to CD hits
case ? How much kinetic energy is lost by the
5.6 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

system? Where goes this energy? distance of the centre of mass of the particle
A u B system from the centre of the polygon.
(ii) In the last problem you have been asked to
remove any one particle from the system so
that the centre of mass of the remaining 2014
string
particles lies farthest from the geometrical
Q. 34. A carpet lying on ground has length L, width a centre of the polygon. Which particle will
and a small thickness d. It is rolled over a light you remove?
L Q. 37. Two identical block A and B each having mass
cylindrical pipe of radius r = and
100 π m, are connected with a spring of force constant
k. The floor is smooth and A is pushed so as to
kept on a level ground. Increase in gravitational
compress the spring by x0. The system is released
potential energy of the carpet is U1 (compared
from this position
to its initial position when it was lying flat). In
another experiment the carpet was folded to (a) Calculate the maximum speed of the centre
give it a shape of a cuboid (see figure) having of mass of the system during subsequent
width b. When this is placed on level ground its motion.
gravitational potential energy is U2 higher than (b) What is acceleration of the centre of mass
its initial position (flat on ground). It is given that at the instant it acquires half its maximum
d = 10–4 L. Find b for which U1 = U2. [Take speed?
π
= 1.25 ]
2
k
a
B
A
L
a r
d
Q. 38. A dancer leaps off the floor with her centre of
mass having a velocity of 5 m/s making an angle of
q 37° to the horizontal. At the top of the trajectory
a the dancer has her legs stretched so that the centre
of mass gets closer to head by a vertical distance
of 0.25 m. By how much does the head rises

vertically from its initial position? ⎡⎢sin 37° = ⎤⎥

3
b
⎣ 5⎦
.
Q. 35. Two identical thin rods are welded as shown in
the fig. B is midpoint of rod CD. Now the system
is cut into two parts through its center of mass M.
The part AM weights 4 kg. Find the mass of the
other part.
C

30°
A
B

D
Q. 39. In order to make a jump straight up, a 60 kg
Q. 36. (i) A regular polygon has 2016 sides and r is player starts the motion crouched down at rest.
the radius of the circle circumscribing the He pushes hard against the ground, raising his
polygon. Particles of equal mass are placed centre of mass by a height h0 = 0.5 m. Assume
at 2015 vertices of the polygon. Find the that his legs exert a constant force F0 during this
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.7

motion. At this point, where his centre of mass Q. 43. Consider a uniform rectangular plate. If a straight
has gone up by h0 his feet leave the ground and line is drawn, passing through its centre of mass
he has an upward velocity of v. Centre of mass of (in the plane of the plate), so as to cut the plate
his body rises further by h = 0.8 m before falling in two parts – the two parts obtained are of equal
down [Take g = 10 m/s2] mass irrespective of the orientation of the line.
(a) Find v. Can you also say that a straight line passing
through the centre of mass of a triangular plate,
(b) Find the normal force applied by the ground irrespective of its orientation, will also divide the
on his feet just before he left the ground. triangle into two pieces of equal mass?
Q. 40. A platform is kept on a rough horizontal surface. Q. 44. Two spherical bodies of masses m and 5 m and radii
At one end A of the platform there is a man R and 2R respectively are released in free space
standing on it. The man runs towards the end B with initial separation between their centres equal
and the platform is found to be moving. In which to 12R. If they attract each other due to gravitational
direction will the platform be moving after the force only then find the distance covered by smaller
man abruptly comes to rest on the platform at B? sphere just before collision.

R 2R
12R

A B
m
5m
Q. 45. A shell is fired vertically upward with a speed of
Q. 41. Two particles P and Q have mass 1 kg and 2 kg 60 m/s. When at its maximum height it explodes
respectively. They are projected along a vertical into large number of fragments. Assume that the
line with velocity up = 20 m/s and uQ = 5 m/s fragments fly in every possible direction and all
when separation between them Q of them have same initial speed of 25 m/s
was 60 m. P was projected [Take g = 10 m/s2]
uQ
vertically up while Q was (a) Prove that after the explosion all the fragments
projected vertically down. will lie on an expanding sphere. What will be
Calculate the maximum height 60 m speed of the centre of the sphere thus formed
attained by the centre of mass of – one second after explosion?
the system of two particles, (b) Find the radius of the above mentioned
measured from the initial P uP sphere at the instant the bottom of the sphere
position of P. Assume that the touches the ground.
particles do not collide and that the ground is far
below their point of projection [g = 10 m/s2] LEVEL 2
Q. 42. Two small motors are kept on a smooth table at
a separation L. The motors have mass M and 2M Q. 46. A car of mass M is free to move on a frictionless
and are connected by a light thread. The motors horizontal surface. A gun fires bullets on the car.
begin to wrap the thread and thereby move The bullets leave the stationary gun with speed u
closer to each other. The tension in the thread and mass rate b kg s–1. The bullets hit the vertical
is maintained constant at F. Find the time after rear surface of the car while travelling horizontally
which the two motors will collide. Neglect the and collisions are elastic. If the car starts at rest
dimensions of the motors and their stands. find its speed and position as a function of time.
2M Mass of the car M >> mass of each bullet.
M
u
M

L Q. 47. (i) Liquid of density r flows at speed u along a

flexible pipe bent into a semicircle of radius
5.8 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

R. The cross sectional area of the pipe is A and the block with a velocity of u = 100 m/s. The
its cross sectional radius is small compared to ball keeps bouncing back and forth between the
R. Three strings S1, S2 and S3 keep the pipe block A and fixed wall B. Each of the collisions
in place. S3 ties the two ends of the pipe and is elastic. After the ball has made 1000 collisions
the other two string have their ends secured at with the block and wall each, the distance between
A and B. Strings S1and S2 are perpendicular the block and the wall was found to be L = 1.2
to the string S3. The entire system is in m. Calculate the average force being experienced
horizontal plane. Find the tension in the three by the block due to collision at this instant. All
strings. collision are instantaneous.
B

V
V
S3 A
u
R
S1 L
S2

Q. 50. A chain (A) of length L is coiled up on the edge

A B
of a table. Another identical chain (B) is placed
(ii) A car of mass M is moving with a velocity straight on the table as shown. A very small length
V0 on a smooth horizontal surface. Bullets, of both the chains is pushed off the edge and it
each of mass m, are fired horizontally starts falling under gravity. There is no friction.
perpendicular to the velocity of the car with
a speed u relative to the car. After firing n
bullets it was found that the car was travelling B
with velocity V0 in a direction opposite to its
original direction of motion. Assume that mu
<< MV0 and also that nm << M. Find n in A
terms of other given parameters.
Q. 48. A block of mass m = 4.4 kg lies on a horizontal
rough surface. The coefficient of friction between
the block and the surface is µ = 0.5. A force F
starts acting on the block making an angle q = 37° (a) Find the acceleration of the chain B at the
to the horizontal. The force changes with time as L
instant length of it is hanging. Assume
shown in the graph. 2
no kinks in the chain so that the entire chain
(a) At what time the block begins to move? moves with same speed.
(b) Calculate the maximum speed attained by the (b) For chain A assume that velocity of each
block. element remains zero until it is jerked into
È 3 -2 ˘ motion with a velocity equal to that of the
Ítan 37∞ = 4 ; g = 10 ms ˙ falling section. Find acceleration of the
Î ˚
hanging section at the instant a length l0 has
F(N)
slipped off the table and its speed is known to
F be v0 at the instant.
q
40 Q. 51 To understand the effect of air resistance on
m the motion of a bullet let's consider a bullet of
the shape shown in the fig. The bullet is flying
t(s)
O 10 20 horizontally. The cross section of cylindrical
Q. 49. A heavy block A is made to move uniformly along part is A and the conical part has a semi vertical
a smooth floor with velocity V = 0.01 m/s towards angle of 45°. Assume that the bullet is fired with
left. A ball of mass m = 50 g is projected towards initial velocity u and moves in a gaseous medium
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.9

in which molecules are at rest (do you think (a) Assume that friction between the plank and
this assumption is necessary?). Collisions of the the table is large enough to prevent it from
molecules with the bullet are elastic. Take mass slipping and calculate the smallest normal
of bullet to be M, density of gaseous medium as r force applied by the plank on the table.
and disregard gravity. (b) Assume that friction is absent everywhere
and calculate the speed of the plank when the
rod makes q = 180°.
45°
Q. 54. A block of mass M = 5 kg is moving on a
horizontal table and the coefficient of friction is
µ = 0.4. A clay ball of mass m = 1 kg is dropped
(a) Consider two bullets one small and other on the block, hitting it with a vertical velocity of
large, made of same material. Which will u = 10 m/s. At the instant of hit, the block was
experience larger retardation due to air having a horizontal velocity of v = 2 m/s. After
resistance? an interval of t, another similar clay ball hits the
(b) Write the speed of bulled after time t. block and the system comes to rest immediately
(c) Write distance travelled by the bullet in time after the hit. Assume that the clay balls stick to the
t. block and collision is momentary. Find t. Take g
Q. 52. Two particle A and B, of mass 3m and 2m = 10 m/s2.
respectively, are attached to the
ends of a light inextensible
string which passes over a u
smooth fixed pulley of
negligible mass. After the V
M
system is released and A falls m
through a distance L, it hits a A B
horizontal inelastic table so Q. 55. Vertical strings of same length L support two
that its speed is immediately L balls A and B of mass 2m each. There is a small
reduced to zero. Assume that B monkey of mass m sitting on ball A. Suddenly,
never hits the table or the the monkey jumps off the ball A at an angle q
pulley. Find = 45° to the horizontal and lands exactly on the
(a) the time for which A is resting on the table ball B. Thereafter, the monkey and the ball B just
after the first collision and before it is jerked manage to complete the vertical circle.
off, (a) Find distance d between the two string and
(b) the difference between the total kinetic energy the speed with which the monkey jumped of
of the system immediately before A first hits the ball A.
the table and total kinetic energy immediately
(b) Find the impulse of the string tension on ball
after A starts moving upwards for the first
A during the small period when the monkey
time. Explain the loss in kinetic energy.
interacted with the ball to jump off it.
Q. 53. A light rod of length L is hinged to a plank of
mass m. The plank is lying on the edge of a d
horizontal table such that the rod can swing freely
in the vertical plane without any hindrance from L L
the table. A particle of mass m is attached to the
end of the rod and system is released from q = 0°
position (see figure) q
m
A B
q Q. 56. In the shown figure, pulleys and strings are ideal
and horizontal surface is smooth. The block
m
C (mass 2m) is given a horizontal velocity of
5.10 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

V0 = 3 m/s towards right and the entire system is Q. 59. A moving particle of mass m collides elastically
let go. Find the velocity of three blocks, just after with a stationary particle of mass 2m. After
!
the strings regain tension. Mass of A and B are 2m collision the two particles move with velocity v 1
! !
and m respectively and take g = 10 m/s2. and v 2 respectively. Prove that v 2 is perpendicular
! !
V0 to (2 v 1 + v 2)
Q. 60. Two identical carts are moving on parallel smooth
2m C tracks with velocities u1 = 10 ms–1 and u2 = 15
ms–1. The empty carts (with drivers) have mass
3m each. Each cart has a sack of mass m kept at
end A and end D (see figure). At the instant the
carts being to cross, the sack in cart 1 is the thrown
perpendicular (relative to cart 1) with some
A unknown velocity and it lands on cart 2 at its end
2m B D after a time t0. Immediately after the sack lands
m into cart 2, the original sack in cart 2 is thrown
Q. 57. Two identical small balls are interconnected with perpendicularly (relative to cart 2) towards cart 1
a light and inextensible thread having length in identical fashion. The sack lands on cart 1 at
L. The system is on a smooth horizontal table point M, a time t0 after the throw. Assume that the
with the thread just taut. Each ball is imparted carts are constrained to move in straight lines.
a velocity v, one towards the other ball and the (i) Find length BM if length of each cart is L
other in a direction that is perpendicular to the (ii) Find the velocity of cart 1 after the sack
velocity given to the first ball. thrown from cart 2 lands on it.
v D
C 2
v u2

(a) After how much time the thread will become

M
taut again? u1
B 1 A
(b) Calculate the kinetic energy of the system
after the string gets taut. Q. 61. A man of mass m is standing on the flat top of
a cart of mass 2m. The length and height of the
Q. 58. A particle of mass 1 kg is moving with a velocity
cart is L and H respectively and it is at rest on a
of 200 m/s. An impulsive force of 4 s duration
smooth horizontal ground. The man starts running
acts on the particle in a direction opposite to its
from end A, speeds up and jumps out of the cart
motion. The force fluctuates a little bit around
at point B with a velocity u relative to the cart in
40 N magnitude and then it dies out in next 4s
horizontal direction. Calculate the total horizontal
showing small fluctuations. An oscilloscope
distance covered by the man by the time he lands
records the force as shown. The two oscillating
on the ground.
components in the graph are identical except
m
that one is mirror image of the other. Find the
magnitude of velocity of particle after the force
stops acting.
A B
Force (N)

H
2m

40
L
Q. 62. Two blocks of masses m = 2 kg and m = 8 kg
O are connected to a spring of force constant
4s 12 Time(s) K = 1 kN/m. The spring is compressed by 20 cm
4s
and the two blocks are held in this position by
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.11

a string. The system is placed on a horizontal can touch the roof of the car.
smooth surface and given a velocity u = 3 m/s
perpendicular to the spring. The string snaps
m
while moving. Find the speed of the block of
u m
mass m when the spring regains its natural length.
2m
m

Q. 65. A heap of rope is lying on a horizontal surface.

u One free end A of the rope is pulled horizontally
with a constant velocity v. Assume that the heap
does not move and the moving part of the rope
String remains straight and horizontal (i.e. there is no
M sag). Mass per unit length of the rope is l. Find
Q. 63. Two blocks of mass M and 2M are connected to the tension at point P where the straightened part
the two ends of a light, inextensible string passing of the rope meets the heap. How much force the
over an ideal pulley as shown in figure. The external agent must apply at end A?
system is released from rest. P A
v
(a) One second after the system is
released, a particle of mass M hits the
Q. 66. In the last problem, the free end A of the rope is
block of mass M and sticks to it. The
tied to a block of mass M and the block is given
particle hits the block with a speed of
a horizontal velocity v0 (see figure). Calculate the
10 m/s while travelling downward. Find the
following quantities at the instant the block is at
total distance travelled by block of mass 2M
a distance x from the right end of the heap (here
after it is released.
‘heap’ means the coiled part of the rope that is not
(b) One second after the system is
moving).
released, a particle of mass 2M hits the
block of mass M and sticks to it. The M v0
particle hits the block with a speed of
10 m/s while travelling in upward direction.
(i) Speed of the block.
Find distance travelled by the block of mass
2M after it is released to the time it comes to (ii) Tension force applied by the rope on the
rest for the first time (g = 10 m/s)2 block.
Q. 67. (i) Three balls 1, 2 and 3 lie on a smooth
horizontal table. Ball 1 is given a velocity
towards ball 2. Kinetic energy given to
ball 1 is k0. It collides with 2 and in turn
M ball 2 hits ball 3. All collisions are head on
elastic. Masses of the balls are m, M and m
2M
respectively.
2M M M 1 2 3
k0
(a) (b) 2M m M m

Q. 64. A toy car of mass 2 m is at rest on a smooth (a) Calculate the kinetic energy (k3) of ball 3
horizontal surface. A small bob of mass m is after ball 2 hits it.
suspended by a mass less string of length L from
the roof of the car. A horizontally flying bullet of (b) Draw the variation of k3 as a function of M.
mass m enters into the car through a small window (ii) Consider 10 balls laid on a smooth surface
and sticks to the bob. Speed of the bullet is u. Find m m m m
minimum value of u (call it u0) for which the bob with masses m, , , ...... and first
2 4 8 512
5.12 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

ball is pushed towards the second with kinetic m m

L/2 L
energy k0. [All collisions are elastic and head B
O
A
on]. The kinetic energy acquired by the last
ball is k10. In a separate experiment the 10th
ball is pushed towards 9th ball with kinetic L
energy k0. This time the kinetic energy
acquired by 1st ball is k1.
Compare k10 and k1.
1 2 3 4 10
(a) In which direction will the combined mass
move immediately after collision – right or
left?

Q. 68. A simple pendulum is suspended from a peg on a (b) Find tension in the string immediately after
wall which is inclined at an angle of 30° with the the collision.
vertical. The pendulum is pulled away from the Q. 70. A smooth track, fixed to the ground, is in the
wall to a horizontal position (with string just taut) shape of a quarter of a circle. Two small blocks of
and released. The bob repeatedly bounces off the mass 3m and 2m are released from the two edges
A and B of the circular track. The masses slide
2 down and collide at centre O of the track. Vertical
wall, the coefficient of restitution being e = . height of A and B from O is h = 2m. Collision
5
is elastic. Find the maximum height (above O)
Find the number of collisions of the bob with attained by the block of mass 2m after collision.
the wall, after which the amplitude of oscillation
(measured from the wall) becomes less than 30°.
45°
60°
30°
3m 2m
A B

h = 2.0 m

O
wall
Q. 71. A man stands on a frictionless horizontal ground.
Q. 69. Two particles A and B, having same mass m are He slides a 10 kg block on the surface with a
tied to a common point of suspension O. A is tied speed of 3 m/s relative the ground, towards a
with the help of an inextensible string of length L vertical massive wall. The wall itself it moving
and B is tied using an elastic string of unstretched towards the man at a constant speed of 2 m/s. The
L block makes a perfectly head on elastic collision
length . The two particles are released from
2 with the wall, rebounds and reaches back to the
horizontal positions as shown in figure. The man 3 second after the throw. At the moment the
particles have been released at a time gap so that block was thrown, the wall was at a distance of
both the string and the elastic cord become vertical 10 m from the man.
simultaneously. It was observed that the length (a) Find the mass of the man.
of the cord became equal to that of the string at
this moment and the two particles collided. The (b) Find the ratio of work done by the man in
particles got stuck together and their velocity just throwing the block to the work done by the
wall on the block.
after the collision was observed to be gL .
2 Q. 72. A ball is projected from point A in horizontal
direction with a velocity of u = 28 m/s. It hits the
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.13

incline plane at point B and rebounds. Show that (b) Find the minimum kinetic energy of the
whatever be the coefficient of restitution between system (as a percentage of original kinetic
the ball and the incline, the ball will always hit energy before collision) during the process of
the incline for the second time at a point above B collision.
(i.e., it will not hit the incline below B). Assume Treat the collision to be instantaneous.
the incline to be smooth and take g = 10 m/s2
⎡ 3⎤
⎢sin 37° = 5 ⎥
⎣ ⎦
A u

Q. 75. On a billiard table two balls B and C are at rest

touching each other. A third ball A, travelling with
H = 20m B speed u, strikes the two balls elastically (see fig.).
Somehow, A hits B first and within a fraction of a
second hits ball C. You may assume that B and C
are placed symmetrically with respect to the line
37°
of motion of A and that all the balls are identical.
Q. 73. A staircase has each step of height h and width What angle does the final velocity of A make with
x. A ball strikes the centre point of a step with its original direction of motion.
velocity v making an angle q with the vertical. It
rebounds and strikes the centre point of the next B
step. Once again it rebounds and hits the centre A
point of the next step and so on. u
B C

v q

A Q. 76. A toy car of mass m is placed on a smooth

D
x/2
horizontal surface. A particle of mass 3m is
h suspended inside the car with the help of a string
C of length l. Initially everything is at rest. A sudden
horizontal impulse I = 2m ÷gl is applied on the car
C
and it starts moving.
x
m

I l

3m
Assume that there is no friction between the ball
and the steps and coefficient of restitution is e.
(a) Show that each time after hitting a step, the
ball climbs to the same height (i.e., heights (a) Find the maximum angle q0 that the string
like AB and CD shown in figure are equal). will make with the vertical subsequently.
(b) Find h and x. (b) Find tension in the string when it makes angle
q0 with the vertical.
Q. 74. Two identical discs are initially at rest in contact
Q. 77. A smooth ball of mass M and radius R is lying
on a horizontal table. A third disc of same mass
on a smooth horizontal table. A smaller ball of
but of double radius strikes them symmetrically
radius r and mass m travelling horizontally on the
and comes to rest after the impact.
table with velocity u hits the larger ball. Collision
(a) Find the coefficient of restitution for the is elastic. During the interaction of the balls the
impact. larger ball does not lose contact with the table at
5.14 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

any instant.
along –ve x-direction with velocity 2gl
M collides with the bob and comes to rest. The
m R bob swings and when it comes to rest for
the first time, another particle Q of mass m
r u moving horizontally along y direction collides
with the bob and sticks to it. It is observed
that the bob now moves in a horizontal circle.

(i) Calculate the velocity of the balls after

collision. l

(ii) Calculate the maximum possible interaction 2l

force between the balls during collision. Y
Q. 78. A light rigid rod has a small ball of mass m attached
X
to its one end. The other end is hinged on a table
and the rod can rotate freely in vertical plane. The (a) Find tension in string just before the second
rod is released from vertical position and while collision.
falling the ball at its end strikes a hemisphere of (b) Find the height of the circular path above the
mass m lying freely on the table. The collision floor.
between the ball and the hemisphere is elastic. (c) Find the time period of the circular motion.
The radius of hemisphere and length of the rod (d) The string breaks during the circular motion
are R and 2R respectively. Find the velocity of the at time t = 0. At what time the bob will hit the
hemisphere after collision. floor?
Q. 80. A billiard ball collides elastically with an identical
stationary ball. The collision is not head on. Show
that the directions of motion of the two balls are at
2R right angles after the collision. Solve the problem
in centre of mass frame as well as in lab frame.

R
Q. 81.
m
u R/2
Q. 79. (i) O is a fixed peg at a height H above a
u0
perfectly inelastic smooth horizontal plane.
A light inextensible string of length L (> H)
has one end attached to O and the other end A heavy ball of radius R is travelling on a smooth
is attached to a heavy particle. The particle is horizontal surface with a velocity of u0 towards
held at the level of O with string horizontal left. A horizontally moving small ball of mass m
and just taut and released from rest. Find the R
strikes it at a height above the centre while
height of the particle above the plane when 2
it comes to rest for the first time after the travelling with velocity u towards right.
release. (a) After collision the small ball moves in
0 L
vertically upwards direction with velocity u.
H Prove that this can happen only if u > 3u0
(ii) The bob of a pendulum has mass m and (b) Find the velocity of small ball after collision
the length of pendulum is l. It is initially at if the collision is elastic and the balls are
rest with the string vertical and the point of smooth.
suspension at a height 2l above the floor. A Q. 82. Two elastic balls of masses M and m (M >> m)
m are placed on top of each other with a small gap
particle P of mass moving horizontally between them. The balls are dropped on to the
2
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.15

ground with the bottom of the lower ball at height u

h above the ground. The lower ball has a radius R
and the upper ball has negligible dimension.
A L B
m
Q. 86. Two blocks A and B, each of mass m, are connected
by a spring of force constant K. Initially, the spring
M is in its natural length. A horizontal constant force
F starts acting on block A at time t=0 and at time
t , the extension in the spring is seen to be ". What
h is the displacement of the block A in time t?
F
B A

(a) Up to what height the ball of mass m will

bounce above the ground ? Q. 87. Two blocks of mass m1 and m2 are connected to
the ends of a spring. The spring is held compressed
(b) Does the result obtained above violates the
and the system is placed on a smooth horizontal
low of conservation of mechanical energy?
table. The block of mass m1 = 2 kg is kept at x =
Q. 83. Three identical particles are placed on a horizontal 1 cm mark and the other block is at x = 2 cm
smooth table, connected with strings as shown. mark. The system is released from this position.
The particle B is imparted a velocity V0 = 9 m/s It was observed that at the instant m1 was at x = 5
in horizontal direction perpendicular to the line cm mark its velocity was zero and at that moment
ABC. Find speed of particle A when it is about to m2 was located at x = –4 cm. Find mass m2 and
collide with C. unstretched length (l0) of the spring.
V0 m2 k m1
x
A l B l C -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Q. 84. A light inextensible string, passing over a pulley, Q. 88. Two particles having masses m1 and m2 are
! !
supports two particles 1 and 2 moving with velocities V1 and V2 respectively.
at its ends. An insect of mass !
V0 is velocity of centre of mass of the system.
m is sitting on particle 2 and
the system is in equilibrium. (a) Prove that the kinetic energy of the system
The sum of masses of particles in a reference frame attached to the centre
and the insect is M. Now the 1
of mass of the system is KEcm = µV 2rel .
insect crawls a distance x up m1m 2 2
relative to the string. Find the Where µ = m + m and Vrel is the relative
1 2
displacement of centre of
speed of the two particles.
mass of the system of two
particles and the insect. In 1 (b) Prove that the kinetic energy of the system in
which direction does the 2 ground frame is given by
centre of mass move and why? 1
KE = KE cm + ( m1 + m2 ) V02
2
Q. 85. Two particles (A and B) of masses m and 2m are (c) If the two particles collide head on find the
joined by a light rigid rod of length L. The system minimum kinetic energy that the system has
lies on a smooth horizontal table. The particle during collision.
(A) of mass m is given a sharp impulse so that
Q. 89. Two blocks A and B of mass m and 2m
it acquires a velocity u perpendicular to the rod.
respectively are connected by a light spring of
Calculate maximum speed of particle B during
force constant k. They are placed on a smooth
subsequent motion. By what angle q will the rod
horizontal surface. Spring is stretched by a length
rotate by the time the speed of particle B become
x and then released. Find the relative velocity of
maximum for the first time?
the blocks when the spring comes to its natural
5.16 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

length. of the incline and is connected to the motor using

A B
a light string. The motor is switched on and it
slowly hauls block B through a distance L = 2.0
Q. 90. Two ring of mass m and 2m are connected with meter along the incline. Calculate the work done
a light spring and can slide over two frictionless by the string tension force on the wedge plus
parallel horizontal rails as shown in figure. Ring motor system. All surfaces are frictionless.
of mass m is given velocity ‘v0’ in horizontal
direction as shown. Calculate the maximum M
stretch in spring during subsequent motion.
m v0 L

2m
A B
q
Q. 91. A disc of mass M and radius R is kept flat on a
smooth horizontal table. An insect of mass m Q. 94. An ice cream cone of mass M has base radius
alights on the periphery of the disc and begins to R and height h. Assume its wall to be thin and
crawl along the edge. uniform. When ice cream is filled inside it (so as
(a) Describe the path of the centre of the disc. to occupy the complete conical space) its mass
m becomes 5 M. Find the distance of the centre of
(b) For what value of the centre of the disc mass of the ice cream filled cone from its vertex.
M
and the insect will follow the same path? Q. 95. A flexible rope is in the shape of a semicircle
ACB with its centre at O. Ends A and B are fixed.
Radius of the semicircle is R. The midpoint C is
pulled so that the rope acquires V shape as shown
in the figure.
O R A O B
A O B
R
C
Q. 92. A metal wire having mass M is bent in the shape
of a semicircle of radius R and is sliding inside C
a smooth circular grove of radius R present in a
(a) Make a guess whether the centre of mass of
horizontal table. The wire just fits into the groove
the rope moves closer to O or moves away
and is moving at a constant speed V. Find the
from it when it is pulled?
magnitude of net force acting on the wire.
V (b) Calculate the shift in position of the centre of
mass of the rope.
Q. 96. Three small balls of equal mass (m)
R are suspended from a thread and m m
two springs of same force constant
(K) such that the distances between
k
the first and the second ball and the
second third ball are the same. Thus
m
the centre of mass of the whole system
Q. 93. A triangular wedge (A) has inclined surface
coincides with the second ball. The
making an angle q = 37° to the horizontal. A
thread supporting the upper ball is k
motor (M) is fixed at the top of the wedge. Mass
cut and system starts a free fall. Find
of the wedge plus motor system is 3m. A small
the distance of the centre of mass of m
block (B) of mass m = 1kg is placed at the bottom
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.17

the system from the second ball when both the (a) The velocity of the centre of the disc becomes
springs acquire their natural length in the falling zero for the first time at time t0. Find t0.
system. t0
(b) Find speed of the small body at time .
Q. 97. (a) A uniform chain is lying in form of on arc 3
of a circle of radius R. The arc subtends an Q. 99. Laila and Majnu are on a boat for a picnic. The
angle of 2 at the centre of the circle. Find boat is initially at rest. Laila has a big watermelon
the distance of the centre of mass of the chain which she throws towards Majnu. The man
from the centre of the circle. catches the melon and eats half of it. He throws
OO
OOOO OOOOO
back the remaining half to Laila. She eats the
OO
OO OO
O half of the melon that she receives & throws the
remaining part to Majnu. Majnu again eats half
OO

O
OO
of what he receives and returns the remaining
a R part back to Laila. This continues till the melon
a lasts. The two are sitting at the two ends of the
boat which has a length L. Combined mass of
O the boat and the two lovers is M0 and the mass of
πR the water melon is M. Assume that the boat can
(b) A uniform chain of length is lying move horizontally on water without any resistive
2
symmetrically on the top of a fixed smooth force. Find the displacement of the boat when the
half cylinder (see figure) of radius R. The watermelon gets finished.
chain is pulled slightly from one side and L
released. It begins to slide. Find the speed of
the chain when its one end just touches the
floor. What is speed of centre of mass of the
chain at this instant?
OOOOOOOO
OO OO
OO O
Q. 100. A hot air balloon (mass M) has a passenger (mass
OO

O
OO

R m) and is stationary in the mid air. The passenger

climbs out and slides down a rope with constant
velocity u relative to the balloon.
O
(c) In part (b) assume that the half cylinder is not (a) Show that when the passenger is sliding
fixed and can slide on the smooth floor. Find down, there is no change in mechanical
the displacement of the cylinder by the time energy (kinetic + gravitational potential
one end of the chain touches the floor. Mass energy) of the system (Balloon + passenger).
of cylinder is equal to that of the chain. Calculate the speed of balloon.
For part (b) and (c) assume that the chain (b) Calculate the power of the buoyancy force on
remains in contact with the cylinder all the the system when the man is
while. sliding. For easy calculation,
assume that volume of man is
Q. 98. A small body of mass m is at rest inside a narrow negligible compared to the M
groove carved in a disc. balloon.
Vo
Groove is a circle of
R (c) If buoyancy force is doing
radius R concentric to groove positive work, where is this
the disc. Mass of the
work done lost? You have
disc is also m . The disc
Disc proved that sum of kinetic
lies on a smooth
and potential energy of the
horizontal floor. The small body is given a sharp
system remains constant. m
impulse so that it acquires a tangential velocity Vo
at time t = 0.
 5.18 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

Q.101. A wooden wedge of mass 10 m has a smooth standing on the edges of two perpendicular radii
groove on its inclined surface. The groove at A and B.
is in shape of quarter of a circle of radius A
R = 0.55 m. The inclined face makes an angle P
Ê 11 ˆ R
q = cos-1 Á ˜ with the horizontal. A block
Ë 5 ¯ B
C
‘A’ of mass m is placed at the top of the groove
and given a gentle push so as to slide along the
groove. There is no friction between the wedge
and the horizontal ground on which it has been Find the displacement of the centre of the disc if
placed. Neglect width of the groove.
(a) The two men walk radically relative to the
disc so as to meet at the centre C.
(b) The two men walk along the circumference
to meet at the midpoint(P) of the are AB.
A
Q. 104. There particles A, B and C have masses m,
R 2m and m respectively. They lie on a smooth
horizontal table connected by light inextensible
q strings AB and BC. The string are taut and
<ABC = 120°. An impulse is applied to particle A
R
along BA so that it acquires a velocity u. Find the
initial speeds of B and C.
(a) Find the magnitude of displacement of the
C
wedge by the instant the block A reaches the
bottom of the groove.
(b) Find the velocity of the wedge at the instant
the block A reaches the bottom of the groove.
120°
Q. 102. A uniform bar AB of length 6a has been placed on I
a horizontal smooth table of width 5 a as shown A B
in the figure. Length 2a of the bar is overhanging.
Mass of the bar is 4m. An insect of mass m is
sitting at the end A of the bar. The insect walks LEVEL 3
along the length of the bar to reach its other end
Q. 105. A smooth hollow U shaped tube of mass 2m is
B.
lying at rest on a smooth horizontal table. Two
6a
m small balls of mass m, moving with velocity u
A B enter the tube simultaneously in symmetrical
4m
fashion. Assume all collisions to be elastic. Find
the final velocity of the balls and the tube.
2a u
m 2m
5a

(a) Will the bar topple when the insect reaches

end B of the bar?
(b) After the insect reaches at B, another insect
of mass M lands on the end A of the bar. Find
the largest value of M which will not topple m
u
the bar.
Q. 106. There are 40 identical balls travelling along a
Q. 103. A disc of mass M and radius R lies on a smooth straight line on a smooth horizontal table. All
M
horizontal table. Two men, each of mass , are balls have equal speed v and each one is travelling
2 to right or left. All collisions between the balls is
 MOMENTUM AND CENTER OF MASS 5.19

head on elastic. At some point in time all balls will no cover around the peg?
have fallen off the table. The time at which this cover
happens will definitely depend on initial positions
of the balls. Over all possible initial positions of
the balls; what is the longest amount of time that
you would need to wait to ensure that the table
has no more balls? Assume that length of the table L x
is L.

L Q. 109. Two thin rings of slightly different radii are joined

Q. 107. A small ball of mass m is suspended from the end together to make a wheel (see figure) of radius
A of a L shaped mass less rigid frame which is R. There is a very small smooth gap between the
fixed to a block of mass m. The block is placed two ring. The wheel has a mass M and its centre
on a smooth table. The ball is given a horizontal of mass is at its geometrical centre. The wheel
impulse so as to impart it a velocity of u. The ball stands on a smooth surface and a small particle
beings to rotate in a circle of radius R about the of mass m lies at the top (A) in the gap between
point A, while the block and the frame slide on the the rings. The system is released and the particle
table. Find the tension in the string, to which the begins to slide down along the gap. Assume that
ball is attached, at the instant the ball is at the top the ring does not lose contact with the surface.
most position. The rod does not interfere with the A
string during the motion.
q R
A
R
u
string m

m
B

Q. 108. A heavy rope of mass m and length 2L is hanged (a) As the particle slides down from top point A
on a smooth little peg with equal lengths on two to the bottom point B, in which direction does
sides of the peg. Right part of the rope is pulled a the centre of the wheel move?
little longer and released. The rope begins to slide (b) Find the speed of centre of the wheel when
under the action of gravity. There is a smooth the particle just reaches the bottom point B.
cover on the peg (so that the rope passes through How much force the particle is exerting on
the narrow channel formed between the peg and the wheel at this instant?
the cover) to prevent the rope from whiplashing. (c) Find the speed of the centre of the wheel at
(a) Calculate the speed of the rope as a function the moment the position vector of the particle
of its length (x) on the right side. with respect to the centre of the wheel
makes an angle q with the vertical. Do this
(b) Differentiate the expression obtained in (a) to
calculation assuming that the particle is in
find the acceleration of the rope as a function
contact with the inner ring at desired value
of x.
of q.
(c) Write the rate of change of momentum of Q. 110. A large number of small identical blocks, each
the rope as a function of x. Take downward of mass m, are placed on a smooth horizontal
direction as positive surface with distance between two successive
(d) Find the force applied by the rope on the peg blocks being d. A constant force F is applied on
as a function of x. the first block as shown in the figure.
(e) For what value of x, the force found in (d) d
F 1 2 3 4 5
becomes zero? What will happen if there is
 5.20 PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS FOR JEE ADVANCED

(a) If the collisions are elastic, plot the variation Q. 113. A massive ball (A) is dropped from height h on
of speed of block 1 with time. a smooth horizontal floor. A smaller ball (B) is
(b) Assuming the collisions to be perfectly also dropped simultaneously. Initially ball B
inelastic, find the speed of the moving blocks was just touching ball A (see fig.). Radii of both
after n collisions. To what value does this balls is much smaller than h. Ball A hits the
speed tend to if n is very large. floor, rebounds and immediately hits B. Motion
Q. 111. Two small balls, each of mass m are placed on of both the balls is vertical before the collision
a smooth table, connected with a light string of of two balls. All collision are elastic and there is
length 2l, as shown in the figure. The midpoint of no friction. Ball B lands at point P on the ground
the string is pulled along y direction by applying after colliding with A. Find OP, assuming that it
a constant force F. Find the relative speed of the is large compared to radius of A.
two particles when they are about to collide. If the
q
two masses collide and stick to each other, how
much kinetic energy is lost. B
F
A

m m
l l

Q. 112. A block of mass M is tied to a spring of force

constant K and the system is suspended vertically. O P
Consider three situations shown in fig. (a), (b) and
Q. 114. Disc A of radius R is lying flat on a horizontal
(c).
surface. Disc B is also at rest. Disc C, which is
(a) In fig. (a), an insect of mass M is clinging to
identical to B is traveling along the surface with
the block and the system is in equilibrium.
its velocity parallel to the line joining the centre
The insect leaves the block and falls. Find the
C1 and C2 of the discs A and B. The distance
amplitude of resulting oscillations.
between the line C1C2 and the line of motion of
(b) In fig. (b), an insect of mass M is resting
centre of disc C is 3.r , where r is radius of both
on the top of the block and the system is in
B and C. Impact of C with B is completely elastic.
equilibrium. The insect suddenly jumps up
Subsequently it is observed that both B and C just
M miss hitting the disc A. Find the radius (R) of A in
with a sped u = g and the block starts
K terms of r.
A
oscillating. Find amplitude of oscillation B
assuming that the insect never falls back on C2 C1
the block. 3r

(c) In fig. (c), an insect of mass M falls on the

block that is in equilibrium. The insect hits
M
the block with velocity u = g while C
K
Q. 115. A mass m moving with speed u in x direction
moving downwards and sticks to the block.
collides elastically with a stationary mass 2m.
Find the amplitude of oscillation.
After the collision, it was found that both masses
have equal x components of velocity. What angle
does the velocity of mass 2m make with the
u
x axis?
Q. 116. A ball of mass M collides elastically with another
stationary ball of mass m. If M > m, find the
(a) (b) (c) maximum angle of deflection of M.